Veteran golfer Tiger Woods is once again in the headlines due to road accidents and legal disputes. His arrest following a car crash in Florida on Friday has brought back memories of his previous high-profile accidents. Tiger Woods’ name was once considered synonymous with golf greatness, discipline and victory, but in the last 17 years, his life took such a turn that made him the face not only of the game but also of controversies, accidents and personal struggles.
His story is often seen as a tragic downfall of a great player. However, this downfall was not due to just one incident but due to many reasons including personal life revelations, serious injuries, legal troubles and mental pressure. The current car accident is the fourth major car-related accident of his career and his second arrest on suspicion of DUI (Driving Under Influence). Let’s know about his story and controversies…
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Tiger Woods – Photo: ANI
Tiger Woods’ early life
Tiger Woods was born on December 30, 1975 in Cypress city of California state of America, which is a suburb of Los Angeles. His full name is Aldrick Taunt Woods. He was the only child of his parents Earl Woods and Kultida Tida Woods. Tiger also has two half-brothers and a half-sister from the first marriage of his father Earl Woods. Earl Woods was a retired US Army officer. His mother Kultida was originally from Thailand. Kultida met Earl in 1968 during his military service. Kultida was of Thai, Chinese and Dutch descent. Tiger Woods named his mixed racial identity as Cablinasian. He coined this word himself, which is made up of the words Caucasian, Black, American Indian and Asian.
Tiger’s mother chose his first name Aldrick because it starts with E (Earl) and ends with K (Kultida). His middle name Tont is a traditional Thai name. He was nicknamed Tiger in honor of a close friend of his father, Colonel Vuong Dang Phong of South Vietnam, who was also nicknamed Tiger. Tiger’s niece Cheyenne Woods is also a professional golfer. Tiger Woods’ father Earl Woods died on May 3, 2006. Whereas his mother Kultida died on February 4, 2025. After his mother’s death, Woods said, ‘None of my personal accomplishments would have been possible without her.’
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Tiger Woods – Photo: ANI
Tiger Woods’ professional career
Aldrick Taunter Woods, aka Tiger Woods, is tied for first in most wins on the PGA Tour, while coming in second in most men’s major championship titles. Tiger Woods is considered one of the greatest players in golf history and one of the most famous athletes in modern sporting history. He has also been inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
From junior to professional star
Woods turned professional golf in 1996 at the age of 20, after a string of stellar performances in junior, college and amateur golf. In just over a year, by April 1997, he had won three PGA Tour events. During this time, at the age of 21, he won his first major, the 1997 Masters, by a record 12 strokes and became the youngest champion. In June 1997, he became number one in the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time. Won the US Open at Pebble Beach in June 2000 by 15 shots, the largest winning margin in major championship history.
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Tiger Woods – Photo: ANI
Rule over golf for a decade
Tiger Woods remained the biggest name in the world of golf in the first decade of the 21st century. It remained number-one for 264 consecutive weeks from August 1999 to September 2004. By winning the Masters in April 2001, Woods became the only player to hold all four professional majors simultaneously. After this, in October 2004, he married Elin Nordegren. In June 2007, a day after Woods finished runner-up at the US Open, his wife gave birth to their daughter, Samantha.
After this, from June 2005 to October 2010, it once again remained number one for 281 weeks. This was a period of his complete dominance in golf. Won the US Open via a playoff at Torrey Pines in June 2008. This was his 14th major. Had left knee ACL surgery a week later and was out eight months. In February 2009, their son Charlie was born.
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Tiger Woods – Photo: ANI
Personal problems and injuries
The next decade of his career was spent battling personal problems and injuries. In 2009, due to disputes with his wife, he distanced himself from professional golf from December 2009 to April 2010. The SUV crashed into a tree and fire hydrant outside a Florida home in November 2009. After this, news of his many affairs came to light and big sponsors left him. Stayed in the clinic for 45 days. In August 2010, his divorce from wife Elin Nordegren was finalized. Woods returned at the 2010 Masters. After this, in November 2011, his ranking fell to 58th place.
However, between March 2013 and May 2014, he again achieved the number-one rank. But due to persistent injuries between 2014 and 2017, he had to undergo four back surgeries. On March 31, 2014, Woods had back surgery a week before the Masters and missed Augusta National for the first time. Underwent back surgery for the second time on 16 September 2015. On October 28, 2015, he underwent back surgery for the third time. On April 19, 2017, Woods underwent a fourth back surgery, consisting of a lower back fusion.